Upādhi

A vehicle or “basis” used by the consciousness, or other beings in the universe. It is a Sanskrit word meaning “substitute,” “appearance,” “limitation,” etc. formed from the prefix up€- (“toward,” “near”) and the stem word dhi (“receptacle”). Its meaning is somewhat different from related terms such as ar…ra (“body”), koa (“sheath”), or vahana (Hindi vahan, “vehicle,” “vessel,” etc.) For example, the various bodies — physical (sth™la-ar…ra), subtle (sukma-ar…ra), and causal (k€raŠa-ar…ra) — are called up€dhis, which suggests limitation, but buddhi is called a vahana or v€han, i.e., a vehicle. Perhaps one could think of the up€dhi as analogous to an electrical transformer rather than as a limitation, connecting and reducing the energy from a higher level so that it can be utilized at a lower level. One example would be the difference in functioning of the lower and higher mind, the former dealing more with abstractions or the essence of thoughts while the latter dealing with specific ideas, memories, beliefs, etc. Another would be the relation between the power of emotion which manifests in the physical body, but can cause damage to the latter only with persistent misuse. Helena P. Blavatsky states, “Though there are seven principles in man, there are but three distinct Up€dhis [bases], in each of which his štman may work independently of the rest. These three Up€dhis can be separated by an adept without killing himself. He cannot separate the seven principles from each other without destroying his constitution.” She also states that “there exists in Nature a triple evolutionary scheme, for the formation of the three periodical Up€dhis: or rather three separate schemes of evolution, which in our system are inextricably interwoven and interblended at every point. These are the Monadic (or spiritual), the intellectual, and the physical evolutions. . . . Each of these three systems has its own laws, and is ruled and guided by different sets of the highest Dhy€nis or ‘Logoi’” (SD I:181). Matter is considered an up€dhi of Spirit or Universal Mind. šk€a is also considered the up€dhi of Divine Thought. See Human Constitution. R.W.B./P.S.H.